Have you ever had to deal with an unexpected issue or crisis in the kitchen? How did you handle it?

Sample answer to the question

Yes, I have encountered unexpected issues and crises in the kitchen before. One particular incident that comes to mind is when the fire alarm suddenly went off during a busy dinner service. It turned out that there was a small fire in one of the ovens. I immediately instructed my team to evacuate the kitchen and called the fire department. While waiting for them to arrive, I used the kitchen's fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Fortunately, the fire was contained quickly and there was minimal damage. Once the situation was under control, I gathered my team outside and ensured everyone was safe. I then coordinated with the front-of-house staff to manage the guests and keep them informed about the situation. After the fire department gave us the all-clear, we resumed operations as smoothly as possible, adjusting our workflow to accommodate the temporary loss of one oven. Overall, I believe my calm and decisive handling of the crisis helped to minimize the impact on the restaurant and maintain the safety of both staff and guests.

A more solid answer

Yes, I have faced unexpected issues and crises in the kitchen numerous times throughout my career. One example that stands out is when a major ingredient delivery did not arrive on time, jeopardizing our ability to prepare a significant dish for a VIP event. I quickly assessed the situation, informed the chef and the kitchen staff about the issue, and brainstormed alternatives. In collaboration with my team, we improvised by utilizing the ingredients we had in stock and modifying the recipe to create a similar and equally impressive dish. We also communicated the change to the front-of-house staff, ensuring they were properly briefed to manage guest expectations. The outcome was a success, with the guests praising the flavors and presentation of the dish. This experience demonstrated my ability to think on my feet, adapt to unexpected challenges, communicate effectively with my team, and deliver exceptional results even under pressure.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides specific details of a challenging situation and highlights how the candidate responded effectively. It showcases the candidate's problem-solving skills, adaptability, communication skills, and ability to handle crises. However, it could be further improved by including more examples and demonstrating how the candidate's actions align with the job requirements.

An exceptional answer

Yes, I have encountered numerous unexpected issues and crises in the kitchen throughout my career, and my ability to handle these situations effectively has been instrumental in maintaining smooth operations. One notable incident was during a high-profile charity gala event where the power went out unexpectedly due to a city-wide outage. As the Executive Chef, I immediately activated our backup generator and organized my team to assess the situation and devise a plan. We quickly identified the dishes that could still be prepared without electricity and focused our efforts on those. Meanwhile, I assigned a team member to communicate with the front-of-house staff and inform the guests about the situation, assuring them that we were working diligently to provide an exceptional dining experience despite the circumstances. To address the limited cooking capabilities, we creatively designed a menu that showcased chilled and raw dishes, highlighting our culinary skills and offering a unique dining experience. This proactive approach received praise from the guests, and we successfully completed the event without any negative impact on guest satisfaction. This experience demonstrated my strong leadership skills, ability to make quick decisions under pressure, and capacity to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining excellence in food quality and guest satisfaction.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer provides a detailed and engaging story of a challenging situation, showcasing the candidate's strong leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, ability to work under pressure, adaptability, communication skills, and ability to coordinate with other staff members. It exceeds the solid answer by demonstrating additional skills such as creativity and ability to maintain food quality under challenging circumstances. The candidate's response also aligns well with the job requirements, emphasizing their ability to handle unexpected issues and crises in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.

How to prepare for this question

Reflect on past experiences in the kitchen where you faced unexpected issues or crises, and think about how you handled them. Consider the outcomes and lessons learned from those situations.
Identify specific examples that showcase your problem-solving skills, adaptability, leadership abilities, and ability to work under pressure.
Practice explaining the incidents concisely, focusing on the actions you took to address the issues, the collaboration with your team, and the results achieved.
Highlight the impact of your actions on maintaining smooth operations, guest satisfaction, and adherence to high-quality standards.
Demonstrate your understanding of the importance of effective communication and coordination with other staff members during unexpected situations.

What interviewers are evaluating

Leadership Skills
Problem-solving Skills
Ability to work under pressure
Communication Skills
Ability to handle crises
Ability to coordinate with other staff
Ability to adapt to changing circumstances